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Pictures of Cockermouth

a Historic Market Town in the county of Cumbria

Cockermouth High Street, Cumbria

About Cockermouth

Cockermouth is ideally placed to be used as a centre for touring the Lake District National Park. It has a High Street seemingly unaltered, and is ringed by some of the finest scenery in England with the waters of the River Cocker flowing through the town to meet up with the meandering River Derwent.

This is a place that is perfect for anyone wanting lots to do, apart from being in fabulous walking country Cockermouth has a wealth of places to explore. Its tourist attractions include some to with associations with William Wordsworth who added so much to Lakeland's fame. Wordsworth House is internationally known as one of the poet's two principal residences in the Lake District, the other is Dove Cottage at Grasmere. A memorial bronze bust of the poet stands opposite Wordsworth House, which acts as a "living" museum depicting the life of the Wordsworth family as it would have been lived in the 18th century.

Percy House is a stunning split level property from 1390, it is the town's oldest surviving town house and provides a handsome backdrop for the work of Cumbrian artists. The rooms show a rich array of paintings, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and photographs, silver, glassware and wood carvings, all created by a band of youthful talented young men and women from around Cumbria.

The Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre is a "hands on" experience for everyone. Here you can meet 19 different breeds of sheep during the centre's indoor presentation, when you can also watch the art of sheep shearing and see at work the partnership existing between the shepherd and his dog, as between them they skilfully handle the flock.

Harris Park is a fabulous green space given to the town by Mrs Harris, widow of Joseph Harris in 1895. The Harris family owned the local linen mill. The park affords excellent views of the town and has pleasant walks, a children's play area, bowling and tennis.

Few views rival those seen from the terraces of Wood Hall Gardens where the whole panorama from Skiddaw to Buttermere is laid out before you. The gardens, open on accasions to the public, where designed in 1910 by international landscape designer Thomas Mawson, who made the most of Wood Hall's exceptional setting. Visitors can see a rich variety of mature trees, ornamental stone summerhouses, a cold house, large fish pond with wonderful specimens of goldfish. Within the 5/6 acre site there are various formal and informal gardens, these have been carefully planted with colourful flowers, interesting shrubs and herbaceous plants. Regretfully, the house that stood on the site was demolished in the 1940's after suffering from severe dry rot caused by the water flowing down from the hillside. After this the site lay abandoned for a period of years until the gardens were rescued in the 1970's.

All Saints Church is perhaps Cockermouth's most beautiful building. It was originally built in splendid Gothic style by Henry Percy in 1395, and was later replaced with a plainer building in 1711. This church was raised to the ground by the ravages of a fire in 1850, following this bitter blow to the town a third church, in the Early English style was erected. Thus, this is the church we see today, with its Bible and Prayer Book placed within at the time of its dedication in 1854 on display. The church has much that is worthy of note, its spire reaches to 180 feet, and there is some very fine Victorian glass including a memorial window to William Wordsworth who was baptised here. In the lawned, tree lined churchyard there are the graves and tombs of several centuries, amongst these is the burial spot of Wordsworth's father.

Cockermouth is a lively ambient town, proud of its heritage but with its sights firmly on the future. It is a superb inland resort town were visitors will find themselves warmly welcomed and well catered for. The town has a wide range of accommodation ranging from the luxurious to the simplicity of bed and breakfast in friendly Lakeland homes. There are lots of events, these include a carnival, rock and roll day, woolfest and Georgian fun day. As well as this there is a regular craft fair and farmers market.

The romantic charm of the town is made more vibrant by its close proximity to the Solway Firth with its wonderful golden beaches and stunning vista's towards the coast of Dumfries and Galloway. But it is the immemorial peace and beauty so beloved of Wordsworth that continues to be captivating, leaving summertime memories of a lively town within a hauntingly beautiful landscape.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Cockermouth

Cockermouth Castle(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)Pictures
Lorton Vale(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Trotters World of Animals(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction E)Pictures
Maryport Lighthouse(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Whinlatter Forest Park(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction SE)Pictures
Crummock Water(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction S)Pictures
Ennerdale Water(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Skiddaw Forest(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction E)Pictures
Derwentwater(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction SE)Pictures
Castlerigg Stone Circle(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction E)Pictures
The Bowder Stone(12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Honister Slate Mine(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction SE)Pictures
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum(13.3 miles, 21.3 km, direction E)Pictures
Holme Cultram Abbey(13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction N)Pictures
Lees Scar Lighthouse(14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction N)Pictures

All attractions in Cockermouth
All attractions in Cumbria
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Cockermouth

Loweswater, in the county of Cumbria (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction S)
Loweswater is centred in a landscape of grandeur, it is surrounded by Mellbreak Fell, Carling Knott Fell and Burnbank Fell, all excellent climbing and walking country giving views of a mountainous landscape reflected in sun-kissed pewter waters.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Maryport, in the county of Cumbria (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction NW)
Today, first and foremost Maryport is a splendid resort town on the beautiful Solway coast, it is steeped in the maritime history of two thousand years of sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Workington, in the county of Cumbria (7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction W)
Ancient market town of quintessential English charm, where you could easily swap the modern day cars parked in gracious tree-lined avenues for the horse and carriage of Victorian times.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bassenthwaite, in the county of Cumbria (7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction E)
This is the most northerly of all the lakes, it resembles beaten silver nestling between the sun dappled heights of soaring fells...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Buttermere, in the county of Cumbria (8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction SE)
Even when swirling mist rolls in over the stark fells surrounding Buttermere, the little hamlet remains serene in its simplicity and beauty.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Keswick, in the county of Cumbria (10.5 miles, 17.0 km, direction SE)
Keswick is a pretty Market Town that nestles between the spectacular Skiddaw Mountains and the northern end of the serene...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Castlerigg, in the county of Cumbria (11.5 miles, 18.4 km, direction SE)
Castlerigg is a favoured destination for tourists, it is easily accessible from the market town of Keswick and is within easy reach of the snaking waters of the pretty River Greta, picturesque becks and fells.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Grange in Borrowdale, in the county of Cumbria (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction SE)
A picturesque village in the Borrowdale valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Whitehaven, in the county of Cumbria (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction SW)
This attractive, historic Cumbrian resort owes much to the ingenuity of the Lowther family, who developed Whitehaven as a port for shipping and the export of Cumbrian coal.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Threlkeld, in the county of Cumbria (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction E)
This is a magical area of sparking lakes, tumbling waterfalls, high peaks and vast moorland regions.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Seatoller, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cumbria (12.8 miles, 20.7 km, direction SE)
Seatoller, set in one of the most beautiful and exciting landscapes to be found in the lakes, gains its prosperity as a centre for climbers and walkers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rosthwaite, in the county of Cumbria (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction SE)
Small as Rosthwaite may be, it has magic and serenity coupled with some of the most unforgettable sights in the Lake District National Park
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Watendlath, in the county of Cumbria (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction SE)
A place of great beauty, Watendlath's dramatic landscape inspired writer Sir Hugh Walpole to choose it as the setting for his Rogue Herries series.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Borrowdale, in the county of Cumbria (13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction SE)
There is little doubt that Borrowdale possess some of the most unforgettable of all in the vast landscape of The Lake District National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stonethwaite, in the county of Cumbria (13.7 miles, 22.1 km, direction SE)
Tucked away in a quiet part of Borrowdale where streams tumble down crags amongst a patchwork of old pack-horse trails, scenery does not come more beautiful than that which surrounds this peaceful hamlet in the Langstrath Valley.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Cumbria
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Maryport Station(6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction NW)
Flimby Station(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction W)
M6 Junction 41(23.2 miles, 37.3 km, direction E)
M6 Junction 42(24.1 miles, 38.8 km, direction NE)
Blackpool Airport(62.6 miles, 100.8 km, direction S)
Isle of Man Airport(64.5 miles, 103.8 km, direction SW)
Cockermouth to London(256.2 miles, 412.2 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Cockermouth

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Cockermouth center
Allerdale Court Hotel(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)
Shepherds Hotel(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Broughton Craggs Hotel(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction W)
The Melbreak Country Hotel(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction W)
Armathwaite Hall Hotel(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction E)
Hunday Manor Country House Hotel(6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction SW)
The Castle Inn Hotel(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction E)
Waverley Hotel(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction W)
Highfield Hotel & Restaurant(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction SE)
The Kings Arms(10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Cockermouth

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